The Nancy Drew Cookbook: Clues to Good Cooking

by Carolyn Keene

Mystery-themed recipes and other baffling questions about cooking are answered by the Nancy Drew Cookbook for young readers. This series-specific cookbook mixed in a dash of mystery with a pinch of thematic recipes. Nearly 50% of these special recipes incorporate part of the titles from the first 50 volumes of the classic Nancy Drew mystery series. Examples include "Double Jinx Salad," "Ski Jump Hot Chocolate" and "Haunted Showboat Pralines." Other recipes involve places or characters from the series including "Togo Dogs," "Mrs. Fayne's Famous Rice" and "Hannah's Cheese Puffs." Different recipes incorporate various mystery themed words into their titles: "Coded Steak Rolls," "Mystery Corn Pudding" and "The Case of the Smothered Pork Chops." Some recipes focus on international fare: "Hong Kong Fortune Cookies," "Versailles Au Chocolat" and "English Style Chops with Herbs." Throughout the cookbook, tips from Nancy for a recipe are suggested. The girl sleuth recommends adding a "mysterious taste," a "taste of intrigue," a "mysterious crunch" or "a dash of mystery."

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Mystery, Childrens, Reference, Middle Grade

160 pages, Spiral-bound

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Carolyn Keene is a writer pen name that was used by many different people- both men and women- over the years. The company that was the creator of the Nancy Drew series, the Stratemeyer Syndicate, hired a variety of writers. For Nancy Drew, the writers used the pseudonym Carolyn Keene to assure anonymity of the creator.

Edna and Harriet Stratemeyer inherited the company from their father Edward Stratemeyer. Edna contributed 10 plot outlines before passing the reins to her sister Harriet. It was Mildred Benson (aka: Mildred A. Wirt), who breathed such a feisty spirit into Nancy's character. Mildred wrote 23 of the original 30 Nancy Drew Mystery Stories®, including the first three. It was her characterization that helped make Nancy an instant hit. The Stratemeyer Syndicate's devotion to the series over the years under the reins of Harriet Stratemeyer Adams helped to keep the series alive and on store shelves for each succeeding generation of girls and boys. In 1959, Harriet, along with several writers, began a 25-year project to revise the earlier Carolyn Keene novels. The Nancy Drew books were condensed, racial stereotypes were removed, and the language was updated. In a few cases, outdated plots were completely rewritten.

Other writers of Nancy Drew volumes include Harriet herself, she wrote most of the series after Mildred quit writing for the Syndicate and in 1959 began a revision of the first 34 texts. The role of the writer of "Carolyn Keene" passed temporarily to Walter Karig who wrote three novels during the Great Depression. Also contributing to Nancy Drew's prolific existence were Leslie McFarlane, James Duncan Lawrence, Nancy Axelrod, Priscilla Doll, Charles Strong, Alma Sasse, Wilhelmina Rankin, George Waller Jr., and Margaret Scherf.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well to tell the truth, I have only in fact read very very few of the actual Nancy Drew mysteries (as I have never been a huge fan of the genre). But yes, I do fondly recall that when I signed out The Nancy Drew Cookbook: Clues to Good Cooking from my high school library in the winter of 1980, I was indeed very much impressed (and remain so even now, even today) with both the presented recipes themselves (an expansive array of diverse food and meal suggestions, from breakfasts to candies) and also with the fact that the food preparation instructions are for the most part clear, concise and often embellished with and by suggestions for added nutrition (not to mention that the list of cooking do’s and dont’s at the beginning of The Nancy Drew Cookbook: Clues to Good Cooking is in my opinion an absolutely and totally important, essential and very much to be taken to heart general list which really and truly every young cook should learn and internalise).

And with regard to the presented recipes in The Nancy Drew Cookbook: Clues to Good Cooking, I actually have not read enough of the Nancy Drew novels themselves for me to say exactly how many of these have in fact been gleaned from the latter, but that yes, I do find the selection delightful and generally quite appealing with regard to potential taste and nutrition (diverse, and neither too healthy nor too unhealthy, although there is a pretty standard focus on meat and egg based dishes). Furthermore, I also do really love love love the many Nancy Drew stories based recipe titles. Four stars in general for The Nancy Drew Cookbook: Clues to Good Cooking but rounded down to a high three stars, because while the accompanying line drawing like illustrations are of course appreciated, it is still not the same as having actual photographs of the end products, of the meals and foods provided (and no, you also and actually do not really have to be a fan of the Nancy Drew series to either appreciate or to make use The Nancy Drew Cookbook: Clues to Good Cooking in your, in the kitchen).

[ScarlettMi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this cookbook when I was a kid. I remember trying out some of the recipes and being excited when I could make breakfast for my parents on their anniversary. (I'm sure it wasn't great but my mom faked enjoying it.) I've still got a copy to this day, sitting with my more grown up cookbooks I've acquired over the years.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bess, the "pleasantly plump" one naturally has the best recipes. George, the closeted lesbian, has disgusting healthy recipes. Avoid them

[Eric Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who would of thought that Nancy Drew would have her own cookbook! I was pretty excited when I first got this book, I couldn't wait to try out the recipes and see how they all tasted. I yet to try out all the recipes, but so far the ones I tried out are good and bad. Considering this book was first published in 1973, you can expect to find some questionable, yucky recipes in here, like Hannah's Cheese Puffs or Souffle Gruen. Souffle Gruen is the worst recipe I made so far! It. was. FOUL! It was just egg, butter, and cheese you put into a casserole dish and throw in the oven. I gagged when I first took a bite of it and instantly threw it away! However, there were some really surprisingly good recipes as well! The best ones I made so far were Whistling Bagpipe Crunchies, Bess's Secret Chocolate Waffles, and Detective Burgers! They were yummy! Overall, this is a good, fun, nostalgic cookbook that any ND fan will enjoy making recipes from. Just be careful of making some of these recipes cause they are yucky and will leave a bad taste in your mouth!

[Meltha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I collect cookbooks, my mother collects Nancy Drew, so voila. My one complaint in this is that the recipes are generally related to the mysteries in name only.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a fun collectible book that I have had for a few years. If you love Nancy Drew and vintage cookbooks, you'll enjoy it.

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the recipes in The Nancy Drew Cookbook: Clues to Good Cooking by Carolyn Keene are pretty standard, but there are a few that stood out. I don't think I've ever seen a soup with peanut butter in it before? Especially when it also includes either celery salt or cinnamon powder in it as well. Plus, it seemed a little more advanced than I was expecting it to be considering it's a kids cookbook.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Blast From The Past vintage book of 1973 (my copy is dated 1978) will be lots of fun especially for those who have fond memories of reading the Nancy Drew mystery books. It still holds up with classic recipes (albeit with cutesy Nancy Drew related names: Hollow Oak Nest Eggs, Tapping Heels Griddle Cakes, Old Attic Stuffed Tomatoes, Missing Map Cheese Wafers, Sleuth Soup, etc. – you get the idea).
The recipes are similar to those found in popular cookbooks of the time period, i.e. Betty Crocker or Better Homes and Gardens. There’s a glossary of basic cooking terms helpful for young (or any beginning) chefs and clear, easy-to-follow directions. The book also includes some ideas for menus, parties, gifts and gives us picnic, holiday and international options. Fun, quick read. A few cute black and white line drawings add to the vintage charm but there are no color photos.
NOTE: My copy has different cover.

[Talea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The recipes are good basic recipes though dated in some cases. Those of us that grew up reading Nancy Drew not only will it bring back memories of the character, but also of the flavors from our mother's and grandmother's kitchens. The popcorn balls, coffee cake, smothered pork chops, and pear salad types of recipes will take you back to the 70's in the best of ways. The recipes are simple enough that I'd feel comfortable letting my kids make them with minimal supervision.

[Julie H. Ernstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

The recipe names are a hoot! All are references to particular Nancy Drew mysteries. As a big fan of the series as a kid, this was a fun thing to come across at a used bookstore.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Partly hilarious, partly a glimpse into 1970s cooking, which is a little horrifying.

[Tory]

There are a few pretty unhinged recipes in here, although that might be more the 1973 of it all than it is Nancy’s fault. Way too many suggestions of ways to add “intrigue” or “mysterious tastes” to the recipes for me to ever feel comfortable eating at her house, though.

I did learn a lot about Nancy, namely that she really seems to like these things:
- Paprika
- Vitamin A
- Parsley
- Mixing tomato juice and cranberry juice together to celebrate George Washington’s Birthday
- Vitamin C
- Almonds
- Wheat Germ
- Saying random things are “nutritious”
- Protein
- That’s pretty much it

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 1973 mystery-themed cookbook designed to capture the imaginations of younger fans who were avid readers of the Nancy Drew series of books. The recipes are standard for the time [fruit gelatin mold, frozen fruit salad], some hold up quite well [deviled eggs, corn pudding, cookout potatoes], and none are particularly difficult for a tween or teen to complete. With “mysterious” titles, or dishes named for characters in the series, the mystery fan chefs can create meals for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, picnics, backyard barbeques, and holidays. There are international dishes and recipes for give-away treats.

Nancy even adds her distinctive touch to the recipes, suggesting ideas for additions to the basic recipe. Although the recipes don’t significantly differ from those found in other cookbooks of the time, the charm is in the cookbook’s efforts to relate itself to the beloved series and there are sure to be some readers who fondly recall cooking with Nancy.

Along with the recipes, young chefs will find a guide to success with recipes, a list of cooking terms, and a table of weights and measures equivalencies.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

adorable cookbook, easy to follow recipes for kids and teens, perfect for Nancy Drew lovers! I like how many of the recipes are named after Nancy's mysteries, like Crumbling Wall Coffee Cake or Blackwood Hall Muffins (one of my favorite Nancy Drew books!), Moonstone Castle Carrot Salad or Scarlet Slipper Raspberry Punch. I plan on making Chief McGinnis's waffles, Nancy's scrambler, Ned's potato pancakes, the French quiche and the Haunted Showboat pralines :)

[Lisa Mcbroom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't cook at all but I do like to look at Cookbooks. especially vintage ones. Vintage finds such as stuffed tomatoes just to mentin a few. Cleverly named for Nancy Drew books, the book had recipes for parties and other special occasions. A great find!!!!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

While outdated, published in 1973, this was a fun read. I was able to write down a few recipes to try, a fun book for any Nancy Drew fan

[Karalee Shotola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of the Nancy Drew books, so when I found out there was also a Nancy Drew-themed cookbook, I had to check it out. The cookbook includes recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with recipes for snacks, desserts, and drinks. There are also suggestions for holiday-themed menus and 1-2 recipes for each holiday. The names of the recipes are references to the books and characters like 99 Steps French Toast, Shadow Ranch Barbequed Beans, Togo Dogs, and Mrs. Nickerson's Holiday Cookies, but the recipes themselves are rather simple. The recipes are easy to follow and all of them include less than 10 ingredients with some having as few as 3 ingredients. The recipes also include tips on how to decorate and serve the dish or substitute ingredients you can use, which is a nice addition. The cookbook includes simple illustrations of ingredients or equipment used, but there are no photographs. Since the book is from 1973, some of the recipes are questionable by today's standards, but nonetheless, it is a fun cookbook to own, and there are definitely recipes I want to try.

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the 1975 edition of this cookbook from a local antique shop. Reading it with no intention of cooking any of the recipes? 5/5 star experience. The recipes themselves? 2-3 max. I’m not sure if the book was revised for later publications or not, but this one featured recipes that were bizarre at best and disgusting at worst. There was a strong presence of pineapple juice, canned cherries, marshmallows/gelatin, beef, American cheese, and breadcrumbs. In total, there were maybe 4 recipes I’d consider adapting to make. But the weirdness of it all made for a very exciting read. Would recommend to a friend

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book that I bought for my youngest child. I had a copy of my own when I was growing up. I enjoyed making the recipes when I was growing up, and it was a lot of fun seeing my daughter and son trying them out. I loved the whimsical take on the recipes and the names they gave for the different dishes.

I think anyone who feels a little nostalgic should give this ol' recipe book a go. After all, it's a mystery every time you make something new--the flavor that is! :)

[MysterySeeker · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting recipes, sound amazing, look delicious, and enticing.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love Nancy these recipes are interesting,will try several

[Kirsten · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish there had been pictures. I didn't want to make anything from the recipes.

[Debbie L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book in with some older books that I had saved from my childhood This book introduced me to a lifelong love of cookbooks. This is one book that I will never give away

[dawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

the recipe titles were annoyingly unclever & these recipe notes are an ED waiting to happen, in my humble opinion.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stars for sentimentality, but some of the recipes were atrocious.

[هبة · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5

[Melissa!!! · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only reason I picked this up was because it was in a thrift store and I will NEVER make that mistake again

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

A culinary tribute to the beloved girl sleuth.

This retro cookbook was first published in 1973, before it was re-styled and re-released in 2005. I own the latter edition, which is conveniently spiral bound. Since the Nancy Drew novels often highlighted the cuisine which Nancy and her friends ate during sleuthing adventures, this creation makes sense.

The recipes are generally simple enough for a young cook to follow, with clear instructions in a good-sized font. Although some dishes are basic (e.g. Ned's Potato Pancakes, Blackwood Hall Muffins, Detective Burgers), the overall collection is varied and appealing. With that being said, however, it's important to realize that this is a retro cookbook, so the recipes won't reflect what is popular today.

Many of the recipes are keyed to Nancy's mysteries, but only some have actual connections with the stories. For example, Moonstone Castle Carrot Salad reflects a scene from The Moonstone Castle Mystery where Nancy attended a party with a table lined with salads. And Polynesian Punch is a definite nod to The Secret of the Golden Pavilion. But Mirror Bay Triple-Decker has no connection with the events in The Secret of Mirror Bay. There were many dishes from the pages of Nancy Drew that I think could have been added to this book, and that's my primary criticism.

I tried my hand at preparing Muskoka Salmon Salad, Crooked Banister Corn Bread, and Invisible Intruder's Coconut Custard. All three looked and tasted marvelous. On the other hand, there are some dishes which needed rethinking. Sleuth Soup is literally just tomato juice, beef broth, and heavy cream, so it was nothing special.

Note: The recipe for Tomato Sauce includes a serious omission: the instructions say "cut up tomatoes and combine with [other ingredients] ..." but no tomatoes are listed among the ingredients! It's really quite glaring how such a mistake wasn't fixed when the book was reprinted. Looking at an online copy of the 1st edition, I see that a few recipes were deleted from the 2nd edition that I own. These include Mrs. Marvin's Magic Muffins, Coded Steak Rolls, Red Gate Farm Tomatoes, Chinese Shrimp Cakes, and Captive Biscuits. They were probably deemed a little repetitive with the other recipes included.

Overall, I would recommend this to children and adults alike.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I had discovered this book when I was nine, I would have spent the next three years talking my mom into letting me try every recipe in this book.

For a book challenge, I needed to read a book written the year I was born (1973) and when I stumbled across this in the store, I wanted desperately to buy it just to sit in on the shelf with my childhoold Betty Crocker Junior Cookbook. I checked out the date and as soon as I saw 1973, it was added to my cart.

The nostalgia I felt when I read this makes up for the fact that there is a recipe that involves non-fruits in gelatin. I mean, I know it was the 70s, but still...

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting cookbook first published in 1973 and has little clues from Nancy Drew on each recipe. I really enjoyed the reference to items you would not find in as much use today for example an aluminum ice tray with the middle rack for cubes. Several of the recipes require the ingredients to be frozen and that called for removing the middle tray of the ice cube tray---really dated me!